Out there: Summer time, fun time

Cortlyn Young, left, and his sister, Morgan Young, eat lunch last summer at Lunch By The River in Veterans Park next to the Wisconsin River in Wisconsin Rapids.
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WISCONSIN RAPIDS – With school doors closing for the summer, it’s time to open the doors to outdoor fun and sun.

There are several signs the summer season is upon Wisconsin Rapids.

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School might be out, but that doesn’t mean the kids should shy away from reading.

The annual summer library reading program kicked off Monday, but there’s still time to join in “Fizz, Boom, Read.” Children and teens can sign up anytime throughout the summer, said Jennie Bahnaman, a youth service librarian at McMillan Memorial Library, 490 E. Grand Ave.

Participants can earn books by reading, Bahnaman said.

“They basically create a (reading) goal for themselves, and then they keep track of all the minutes they read this summer,” Bahnaman said.

The teen program, “Spark a Reaction” begins Friday. Teens earn a raffle ticket for every 20 minutes they read, good for weekly and end-of-summer grand prizes. Once a teen completes a reading record — three hours of reading time — they also earn a free book.

Other teen-geared events include Teen Trivia Night from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday and teen book brunches from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. June 23, July 28 and Aug. 25. Go to the library website to check out the Science & Technology Wednesdays schedule.

A performer-based program will take place at 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. every Tuesday; and hands-on activities will be offered from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursdays in the children’s garden (or all-purpose room if raining).

An all ages read-a-thon is set for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 26 at the library.

Children and teens can register at the library or online at www.mcmillanlibrary.org. Go to the library website at www.mcmillanlibrary.org and click on children’s brochure for the complete program.

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The annual Heart of Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce Lunch by the River kicks off Thursday with six food vendors and entertainment from Academie de la Danse. You can purchase food on site from the vendors or bring your own lunch. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and relax and enjoy the outdoors and weekly entertainment.

Lunch by the River is from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Thursday through Aug. 28 (weather permitting) at Veterans Park, on the riverbank between the Grand Avenue and Jackson Street bridges. Daily Tribune Media will update its website with rain-related cancellations.

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Speaking of the outdoors, the Mead Pool, 1421 Alton St., opens at noon Wednesday. Hours are noon to 7 p.m. (half-hour closure at big pool from 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.). Daily fee is $2 per person (children younger than 6 are free). Check out season passes at the city park and recreation department office at 444 West Grand Ave.

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Something new this year is “Gather by the Gazebo-Music in the Park” in the Alpine Village Business Park, Rome. The lineup includes Tilly’s Village, today; Dade Grode, July 8, and Kosmic Sounds, Aug. 12. The events go from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

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Last, but not least, the annual Cranberry Blossom Festival kicks off June 10 and runs through June 22. The fest is filled with a variety of events and activities, from art events to contests to parades. Go online to www.blossomfest.com for a full schedule and check out the June 19 GO! section in the Daily Tribune for more.

So, when you hear that “I’m bored” mantra or just need a break, look no further than the Wisconsin Rapids-area backyard. And have some fun.

Deb Cleworth can be reached at 715-423-7200, ext. 6730 or deb.cleworth@cwnews.net. Follow her on Twitter @DebCleworth.